How can I get started in making my distance learning course accessible to all students?

Be proactive in making distance learning courses accessible. Don't wait until students with a disabilities enroll to address accessibility issues; consider them from the start. Applying universal design principles benefits people both with and without disabilities. Begin by thinking about the wide range of abilities and disabilities potential students might have with respect to sight, hearing, mobility, and learning styles and abilities. Make sure course materials can be accessed with sight, hearing, or the keyboard alone.Below are a few key qualities of an accessibly designed course:

Include a statement on the syllabus about how to request a disability-related accommodation and how to report a design feature of the course that is not accessible.